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Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and oral health: a state-of-the-art review of the literature

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Abstract

The aim of this state-of-the-art review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the various therapeutic effects of Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum on oral health. The search of the literature was conducted across thirteen databases for relevant publications published through May 2022 in English, Arabic, or Greek using a combination of keywords and phrases. Out of 246 papers, the search procedure identified 14 papers for inclusion. Mastic gum displayed antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and inhibited plaque accumulation, constituting a beneficial adjuvant in caries prevention. In the treatment and prevention of periodontal diseases, Pistacia lentiscus essential oil provided effective antibacterial activity against a variety of periodontal bacteria as well as anti-inflammatory properties. For oral cancer, several clinical trials revealed interesting results against cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and regulation of intracellular signaling pathways. This indicates the potential of Mastic gum to serve as a preventive and therapeutic agent for oral mucosa inflammation and oral cancer. No notable toxic or side effects were reported in the clinical trials reviewed. This review highlights the various beneficial effects of Mastic gum in the prevention and potential treatment of oral diseases. Further research targeting Pistacia lentiscus products is required in order to validate and utilize these products to prevent and to treat oral health diseases.

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Acknowledgements

This research project was supported by a grant from the “Research Center of the Female Scientific and Medical Colleges”—Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University. The authors would also like to express their utmost gratitude to Dr. Karen Shea, Professor of English at Johnson and Wales University, John Hazen White College of Arts and Sciences, for her invaluable contribution as line editor for this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dental Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Maram Ali M. Alwadi

  2. School of Public Health, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1200 Pressler Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Amrita Sidhu

  3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Life and Natural Science, Lab-NuPABS (Laboratoire de Nutrition, Pathologie, Agro-biotechnologie et Santé), Centre de recherche, route de Mascara, Djillali Liabes University, Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria

    Méghit Boumédiène Khaled

  4. Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK

    Basil H. Aboul-Enein

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Alwadi, M., Sidhu, A., Khaled, M.B. et al. Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and oral health: a state-of-the-art review of the literature. J Nat Med 77, 430–445 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-023-01704-y

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